Today, I Mourn
A Reflection on Knowing Jesus for Yourself
Today, I mourn.
Not because I doubt God’s goodness, but because I know it.
I know that God is holy, righteous, just, and full of mercy. I know that He is faithful, patient, and unchanging. From the beginning, His desire has been to dwell with His creation—to be known, to be loved, and to walk in relationship with those He formed in His image.
Yet humanity chose its own way.
Sin fractured what God intended, bringing separation where there was once communion. But God did not abandon us. Throughout Scripture, we see Him continually calling His people back to Himself, extending mercy, and making a way where there seemed to be none.
That has always been His heart.
Relationship.
Not empty religion.
Not performance.
Not traditions created by man.
Relationship with Him.
That is why today I mourn.
I mourn because many have heard the name of Jesus, yet have never truly come to know Him.
Some have rejected Him without ever sincerely seeking Him.
Some have accepted ideas about Him that were handed down to them but have never searched the Scriptures for themselves. (Acts 17:11)
Others have been wounded by people claiming to represent God and, in their pain, have turned away from the One who has never stopped pursuing them.
The eternal Word became flesh. (John 1:1–14)
Jesus Christ came into the world fully God and fully man. He lived without sin, revealed God to humanity, willingly gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and rose again in victory over death. (Hebrews 10:10–14)
This is the Gospel.
Not that humanity found its way back to God—
but that God came among us.
Through Jesus Christ, what sin had broken was restored, and the way to be reconciled with God was opened. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21; Romans 5:8–11)
Jesus declared,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6)
Truth is not merely an idea.
Truth is a Person.
If Jesus truly is who He says He is, then His words deserve more than our agreement—they deserve our surrender.
There will come a day when every one of us will bow before God.
On that day, our accomplishments, opinions, titles, possessions, influence, and even our religious affiliations will not matter.
What will matter is whether we received or rejected Jesus Christ.
And if we received Him, whether we faithfully stewarded the truth He entrusted to us.
That reality makes me rejoice…
and mourn today.
I rejoice because Jesus Christ made a way for us to be reconciled with God.
Yet I mourn because many still do not know Him. Some have never truly sought Him for themselves, while others have received the truth but have not faithfully stewarded what God entrusted to them.
Still, hope remains.
His mercy is still available.
His invitation is still open.
Hope is still being offered. (2 Peter 3:9)
So I want to leave you with this.
Don’t simply take my word for any of it.
Go to God yourself.
Open your Bible.
Read the Gospels.
Read the words of Jesus.
Watch how He loved, taught, forgave, and revealed God to humanity.
Come with a sincere heart.
Lay down your pride.
Lay down your assumptions.
Lay down the need to be right.
Lay aside every human tradition, religious idea, or belief that has been built apart from God’s Word.
Don’t come trying to defend what you’ve been taught.
Don’t come trying to prove what you already know.
Come simply desiring to know God.
God isn’t looking for perfect people.
He’s looking for hearts that will come before Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23–24)
Jesus Christ came to restore what sin had broken. Through Him, we are invited back into relationship and communion with God. That invitation isn’t based on human traditions, religious systems, or our own efforts. It begins by coming to God with a sincere and humble heart, willing to hear Him, trust His Word, and be transformed by Him.
If you lack wisdom, ask God for it. He gives generously to those who ask. (James 1:5)
Ask Him what Truth is—not according to me, not according to culture, not according to tradition, but according to His Word.
If Jesus is the Truth, as He declares Himself to be, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. (John 14:6)
Ask Him to remove anything that may be keeping you from seeing Him clearly.
Then listen.
Be patient.
Keep seeking Him.
Jesus said:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”(Matthew 7:7–8)
Whether this reflection stirred something in you or not, I encourage you to spend time with Matthew 7:7–8.
Read it slowly.
Pray through it.
Sit quietly before God.
If you sense conviction, don’t run from it.
Conviction is not condemnation.
It is one of the ways God lovingly draws us closer to Himself.
Repentance is not about trying harder or becoming “good enough” before coming to God.
It is about turning toward Him and allowing Him to transform your heart.
Even if you don’t feel anything today, continue seeking Him.
His Word carries far more authority than mine ever could.
My prayer isn’t that you would simply agree with what I’ve written.
My prayer is that you would come to know Jesus Christ for yourself.
May those who have ears to hear, hear. (Mark 4:9; Matthew 11:15
Scriptures Referenced (NIV)
Acts 17:11 — Search the Scriptures.
John 1:1–14 — The Word became flesh.
John 4:23–24 — Worship in spirit and in truth.
John 14:6 — Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Matthew 7:7–8 — Ask, seek, and knock.
Matthew 11:15 — “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Mark 4:9 — “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
James 1:5 — Ask God for wisdom.
Romans 3:23 — All have sinned.
Romans 5:8–11 — Reconciled to God through Christ.
Romans 6:23 — The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:18–21 — Reconciliation through Christ.
Hebrews 10:10–14 — Christ, the perfect and final sacrifice.
2 Peter 3:9 — God desires all to come to repentance.
Scripture Note
The Scriptures referenced throughout this reflection are provided so you can read them in their full context. Don’t stop with the verses listed here. Read the chapters around them. Search the Scriptures for yourself, just as the Bereans did. (Acts 17:11)
Ask God for wisdom as you read. (James 1:5)
These reflections are meant to inspire but never replace God’s Word. We encourage you to read the Scriptures for yourself and let Him speak directly to your heart.